For your information. Mike Neuman --------------------------------- I don't know if Ald. Thomas is the alder for everyone in this group, but I thought I would share her views regarding this project with you. (I've also included my response.) Feel free to let her know your views as well. Mike Dsida reply : Ald. Thomas- I'm not really sure how this is any sort of balance at all. It seems that the only people whose interests are being served by this are people who are driving -- almost always by themselves -- during peak periods between the southwest side or the suburbs, on the one hand, and central Madison on the other. Meanwhile, people like me will be paying for this road (instead of paying for mental health care or better schools for the people who need them), my children will be having to deal with the consequences of pollution and global warming, and we will remain dependent on oil from the Middle East. If congestion is getting terrible in the mornings and evenings (and if it is, it is only for short periods), it is because people choose to subject themselves to it -- choosing congestion over Metro, over ride-sharing, over biking, and (for people who have the option) over varying their work schedules. And the only reason that light rail or other solutions may be a long way off is that we keep futilely trying to build our way out of traffic congestion. Mike Dsida * * * * * Ald Thomas email to Mike Dsida:
I think your question gets to the heart of the issue, how to meet all the competing interests. The study committee, which I am on, has met for years. We have tried to take into account all your concerns and the bikers interests. I know that there will never be aperfect solution but I hope that the model I like is picked as it keeps regional traffic separate from local traffic. Cars/trucks will not have to stop and start around Madison's red lights. The rest of the traffic will not have to idle at stop lights for long minutes as the line up of cars should be minimized. We were looking at being realistic. The chances of getting light rail or public transportation to all the areas that might feed into Verona Rd. is a long way off. Maybe never. We need to do something now as the congestion is getting terrible mornings and evenings. We looked at adding another road further east that would take some regional traffic and there was no good point at which we could have the cars/trucks enter the beltline further east. This project is just part of a larger discussion about getting around Madison and avoiding using the beltline. Seems no one wants to add lanes to the beltline which would definitely help congestion but make us look like a big city. We continue to look at adding pathways to get around having people on the beltline. Do you have specific issues you have seen or heard that bother you? I may not be able to answer your concerns but could find someone who can. Cindy * * * * Dsida's original email message to Ald. Thomas Do you have any views or position regarding this project? I am concerned that the project will contribute to additional congestion on the Beltline, additional pollution, additional sprawl and additional dependence on fossil fuels. Thanks. Mike Dsida [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
